The Ifema Madrid scheme will become a reality by 2026; Work will begin in June

ANDl Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid in 2026. After 45 years of absence he goes to good pace and on time be ready on the scheduled date. These weeks are critical as the organization IFEMA expects that he will receive final approval of the proposed route by the FIA ​​in a month, at the end of May.

IN June machines will operate at full capacity build a new and original layout, especially on a site outside the exhibition complex, 1.2 km in length, which will contain striking and iconic curved curve, with an inclination never seen in the history of Formula 1 or Indycar.

There are some confirmation important information about the project, after announcement February 23 that Madrid and its urban area will have their place in F1 calendar for 2026. Other issues remain to be resolved in the coming months, but the event, the track and the Grand Prix begin to go beyond paper and entertainmentdigital, so-called “renders”, to reality.

Timing of the cycle

May 2024: This is expected homologation final route FIA. Only a few are missing details in debates that represent 1% layout and which concern the territories before and after two tunnels there will be one on the track after turn 6 and another after turn 15.

– June 2024 Machines and workers will begin That games with the movement of land in that part of the contour that has not yet been urbanized, the most entertaining what needs to be built from the very beginning. The rest of the route already passes through IFEMA territory and is much easier.

– It’s on time: Arabia, in 2021 you just need 7 months build Jeddah’s street circuit from scratch in time for the race in November.

– May 31, 2026 This is the date when IFEMA believes the entire site, including two new buildings that will house the car pits and the Paddock Club area above, will be completed and operational.

The race date is 2026.

This will not be known until April 2025, but although it has been published that it will be in September and this is not excluded, it depends on the interests of F1 and the calendar. Any date from May 31 to October 12, 2026 The organizer of the Spanish Grand Prix considers it optimal.

Some layout data

– There will be four overtaking zones. The first one final belonging straight goal, second before chicane 4-5 turns; the third after the roll and the fourth before starting the turn back to the finish. This is the assessment of the company DROMO, which developed the route.

– There will be an increase of 8%: and a decrease of 5%.. It will not be a flat scheme like almost all urban ones, in a formula mixed between urban and permanent.

– 30-degree banking. This is the greatest gem of the circuit. The FIA’s safety bias may change to some extent over time, but it will not be much different from this figure. Greatest of Zandvoort

for example, has only 18%, and will also surpass that of Daytona.

– Roll length 500 meters. and an elevation of 25 meters from the inner rope to the top, which will look like a real wall.

– Lateral force 6G and vertical force 3G: This is what drivers will experience with every step along the beach, followed by physical wear and tear throughout the 55 laps that the race is scheduled to run.

– Main line: From 700 meters long, with removable stands on the left side. Will two two-story buildings (connected by a walkway) who will greet five teams each. Upstairs there will be a Paddock Club area (VIP area run by F1) with a capacity of 5,000 spectators, the largest in Europe, as well as part of Race Control for the FIA ​​racing department. It is located at the current main entrance to IFEMA (south door).

A truck-free, zero-carbon Grand Prix

Question about sustainability was a key moment for Formula 1, with Stefano Domenicali at the head there is decided to make a career in Madrid and in this particular place. This will be the first Formula 1 Grand Prix since zero carbon footprint in emissions, thanks to several advantages not found at any other track on the current Formula 1 calendar.

– Barajas Airport is 5 minutes away. This will prevent teams from having to use trucks (more twenty per squad) from their base in the UK (most), Italy (Ferrari and Visa RB) or Switzerland (Audi) and are flown on DHL aircraft to transport all equipment including cars and pit equipment.

– Hospitality will be constant. They will be provided by the Spanish Grand Prix organization itself, therefore there will be no need to travel

with trucks a few days before transporting the classics “homes on wheels” which are used in the rest of Formula 1 racing in Europe. The 10-year agreement allows them to make such investments.

– Own photovoltaic site (solar park). It will be built on the IFEMA site to ensure that all the electricity needed for the Grand Prix is ​​supplied with 100% green electricity. There won’t even be a diesel generator, as it still happens on most World Cup circuits in huge numbers, even constantto ensure the extra energy needed to power this type of event.

Day or night?

This is not confirmed Not a single option right now. The television broadcast may initially be daytime, but it is possible that then it can become nocturnal. At the moment this does not seem to be a priority issue.